The ordinance targeting jail uniforms set off a storm of comments on social media last week — not only in Baxter County, but also across Arkansas. As of Monday, the story had more than 1,100 shares on The Baxter Bulletin's web page.

The main opponent to the ordinance, Sheriff John Montgomery, has been highly visible since the story went public. On the other hand, its architect has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

"The ordinance speaks for itself," said Justice of the Peace Gary Tennison, who drafted the proposal. "If it dies, it dies. I did what I felt I needed to do."

Tennison believes a change in uniforms would help prisoners keep their dignity and aid with reintegration back into society. He added that, because the same uniforms are worn by all prisoners at the Baxter County jail, the nonviolent offenders will start to identify themselves with the violent ones, harming their chances at rehabilitation.

"The more you humiliate people, the angrier they become," Tennison told The Bulletin last week. "You give them the impression that they're just like these hardened criminals."

The ordinance primarily focuses on the gray-and-white striped pattern of the uniforms and the flip-flops inmates wear on their feet. It calls for the uniforms to be changed from what is termed "obsolete" stripes to solid green scrubs. The flip-flops would be changed to deck shoes and the inmates would be provided "suitable socks." The changes would be made by July 15, 2015.

According to Montgomery, keeping the uniforms is a matter of safety and cost.

"In the event of an escape, we do not want inmates dressed in any clothing that would even resemble civilian clothing, and certainly do not want them in shoes that would allow them to run or move at a fast pace," Montgomery said last week.

Montgomery also said the cost of replacing the current uniforms would be prohibitive. He said that Baxter County meets jail standards and that a stay in the detention center is not meant to be pleasant.

"This is not the Holiday Inn," is what Montgomery said, to sum up his opinion.

Quorum court members will finally get to voice their own opinions on the ordinance Tuesday, as well as members of the public at the courthouse.

Animal control

Another issue that's been on the forefront is funding for Baxter County Animal Control.

The Budget Committee approved a proposed ordinance on July 10 that would give BCAC a funding lifeline through October. The committee passed the proposed ordinance 4-0.

The ordinance would appropriate money from the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program to the animal control fund. This would authorize the county treasurer to transfer $15,000 in PILT funds from road and bridge revenue to BCAC.

PILT are federal payments to local governments that help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal lands within their boundaries. The law recognizes the inability of local governments to collect property taxes on federally-owned land can create a financial impact.

The funds for animal control have been extremely low. Whereas the county originally estimated the voluntary tax introduced last year could possibly bring in $100,000 annually, to date, it has brought in less than $3,000.

Other Business

• An ordinance appropriating funds into the county assessor's 2014 budget

• An ordinance appropriating fees and reimbursements received in June to the 2014 budget of the sheriff's department

• An ordinance appropriating monies received from the PILT program to the household hazardous waste budget

• An ordinance appropriating a worker's compensation refund in the amount of $13,516 to the 2014 budget for buildings and grounds

• An ordinance re-appropriating funds in the 2014 public defender budget

• A resolution confirming the re-appointment by the county judge of members to the Norfork Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners

• A resolution expressing support for the application for an automated records system grant by the Baxter County and Circuit Clerk, as the ex-officio recorder.